The current Cannondale Moterra was engineered strictly according to the notion of ‘form follows function’, but after seeing the brand new iteration of the Moterra, its design seems even more cohesive and packed full of technological features. We’ve been out testing it already.

Das Cannondale Moterra im wunderschönen Alpbachtal
Cannondale Moterra 1 2020 | Bosch Performance CX 2020 | 160/160 mm | € 7,999

Other than the name, there appears to be very little in common between the new Cannondale Moterra and its predecessor. It still deploys a Bosch Performance CX drive unit, albeit the most advanced version, and, depending on the model, is fitted with a 625 Wh battery. The frame now is made in carbon, although the rear end is still aluminium.

For the M, L, and XL frame sizes, Cannondale have opted for 29″ wheels, while the S model takes 27.5″ for the smaller rider. Across all the frame sizes, you’ll get 160 mm front and rear suspension. The new Moterra now deploys a horst link rear suspension, unlike the older generation’s single-pivot design. This move is to achieve better suspension kinematics when braking and accelerating.

The Cannondale Moterra 2020 is powered by the latest Bosch Performance CX Gen4 motor
The motor is protected by the brand’s own aluminium skid plate
Das selbst entwickelte Cover soll den Motor des Moterra schützen
Cannondale have even developed a side cover with specific air vents to ensure sufficient cooling and minimize risk of overheating.
All of the models (expect for the entry-level version) come with a 625 Wh battery
A charging point in the seat tube allows you to charge the battery while still mounted.
Speed sensors are fixed onto the disc brake rotors. Lost or twisted? No chance!

Cannondale put their minds to the task and set about developing a custom skid plate and additional motor cover to ensure that the Bosch Performance CX Gen4 motor–which is made of magnesium–is securely protected. The speed sensor is integrated onto the rear disc brake rotor and the cables are clamped and internally routed – dealers should be able to change these without an issue.

Cables are internally routed and clamped at the entry points to prevent rattling.
They exit the frame at the bottom bracket to avoid creating tight angles that would potentially affect the shifting quality.
Combined with the KIOX display, Cannondale’s own spacers add yet more style to the bike. However, given its vulnerable, exposed position and poor readability, the KIOX is not the ideal optional for an eMTB. This comes as standard only on the top-end Moterra 1.

Proportional Response – Suspension tuned for every rider

Over recent years Cannondale have invested a whole lot of time and thought into just how varied us riders are in terms of weight and height. This led them to analyse braking and accelerating more intensely – the result of their findings is the size-specific Proportional Response Suspension Technology, which aligns suspension kinematics with frame size and ensures that every rider gets the same sensation while riding.

Whatever Moterra frame size you get, Cannondale promise elevated traction. Given the additional demands posed by eMTBs and the consistency of the drive unit, this bike’s anti-squat will be 15% less when compared to conventional mountain bikes, but will still more traction on technical climbs – a feature that can only be a good thing.

Cannondale have developed size-specific suspension kinematics for the various frame sizes of the Moterra.

Price and spec for the Cannondale Moterra 2020

The all-new Cannondale Moterra 2020 comes in four builds, costing between € 4,999–€ 7,999. All of them boast a Bosch Performance CX 2020 drive unit. The entry-level Moterra 3 has to be satisfied with a 500 Wh battery while the rest feature the Powertube with 625 Wh.

Disc brake rotor sizes are fixed across all of the models, with a not-insubstantial 220 mm rotor at the front and 200 mm at the rear. In keeping with this braking prowess, all the models rely on four-piston brakes.

Looking purely at the value for money of each build, the Cannondale Moterra 2, which retails at € 5,999, is the one that caught our eye the most. This particular rig features high-end RockShox suspension with a Lyrik Select fork and SuperDeluxe rear shock, Magura MT5 brakes and the SRAM NX Eagle with a massive gear range.

Huge! Disc brake rotors measuring 223 mm should result in major braking power. More efficient cooling technology should reduce wear on the brake pads.
Unfortunately Cannondale’s decision to install a seat post with just 130 mm drop isn’t to our satisfaction – for the L and XL frames we deem 150 mm of adjustment to be more suited.
Tire choice has seen Cannondale opt for the EXO+ models.
The top-tier Moterra 1 comes as standard fitted with a SuperNova M99 Mini Pro light, which also has a built-in high beam.
The Bosch Kiox display is reserved for the Moterra 1 while the rest of the line-up feature the Bosch Purion.

Cast an eye through the line-up and it’s hard to miss the Cannondale Moterra SE – a veritable standout for bike parker riders and big hitters. Retailing at €6,999, this is the only Moterra model to feature 180 mm front travel, which testifies to its bike park-tuned nature. For those who love swinging down bike park trails, beasting the black lines and tackling the biggest jumps around, the Moterra SE will serve you well.

The Cannondale Moterra SE has a massive 180 mm of front travel and makes a wholly decent substitute for lifts and shuttles.

Everything but extreme – the geometry of the Moterra

The Moterra has been engineered in four frame sizes, with all but the smallest size rolling on 29″ hoops. Chain stays measure 450 mm across the board, and there’s a modest 66° head angle and 470 mm reach for the L-sized frame. As you see from the stats, nothing too out of the ordinary thus far. But experience has taught us that one can’t predict a bike’s handling based purely on geometry specs, right?

Size S M L XL
Seat tube 410 mm 440 mm 470 mm 515 mm
Top tube 587 mm 614 mm 638 mm 666 mm
Steerer tube 100 mm 110 mm 120 mm 130 mm
Head angle 66° 66° 66° 66°
Seat angle 75° 75° 75° 75°
Chainstays 450 mm 450 mm 450 mm 450 mm
BB drop 10 mm 18 mm 18 mm 18 mm
Wheelbase 1.184 mm 1.221 mm 1.247 mm 1.276 mm
Reach 430 mm 448 mm 470 mm 495 mm
Stack 585 mm 619 mm 629 mm 638 mm

Test Ride – the Cannondale Moterra 1 goes off-road

During the press launch of the revamped Cannondale Moterra 1 2020, we seized the opportunity to ride in the stunning Alpbachtal in Tyrol. Before we could take on the truly sublime trails, it was time to set up the bike: Cannondale recommends riding with around 25% SAG that we duly followed. We also inched the saddle forward on its rails, which proved to be a wise decision.

Before starting the ride we inched the saddle forward and angled it down.

It didn’t take more than a few metres before feeling totally at home on the Moterra, with a riding position that’s neither too stretched out, nor too squashed – just, you know, right. Once on a climb, the ride merited from our decision to push the saddle forward–although an even steeper seat angle would not have gone amiss when it got achingly steep.

The suspension performed in a textbook manner, with a seriously responsive rear end that smoothened out bumps as if we were royals. Sitting high in its travel with no bagginess or wallow to the suspension, the rear end stayed composed – efficient! The contact points – bars, grips and saddle – are all fine examples of their kind, ensuring that comfort won’t be a complaint topic for the Cannondale Moterra 1. The latest Bosch Performance CX motor is superlative, especially in the eMTB mode with great power delivery and a super natural feel.

The Moterra 1 could give a TED talk on comfort for gravel tracks.
You’ve got to keep your weight forward on the saddle on steep climbs to prevent unwanted wheelie’ing

The bike keeps glued to the ground while descending, lending a real sense of confidence with its smooth handling. Those long chain stays ensure that your weight is fairly spread across the bike, which makes light work of cornering. To keep traction on the front wheel you won’t have to throw your weight around too much, although the low top tube means you’ve got tons of liberty if you want to do so – although, as we mentioned, this is limited by the dropper’s meagre 130 mm. The steeper it gets, the more drop we demand.

Hit the corner at too much speed? No problem with handling like this! The Moterra brims with confidence.

While we’d never go as far as to say that the bike feels like a freight hauler when popping up and over things, it does demand significant input from the rider. With the suspension feeling like it was sapping at our own reserves, we realised that manuals would be off the menu for most riders. The Magura MT7 brakes with their 220 mm front rotor performed flawlessly over long descents and proved easy to modulate. Our test bike had some noise issues with a constant clattering that proved elusive for us to locate – according to Cannondale, this won’t be a feature on the bike when it hits the market.

Unser Redakteur Christoph testet das neue Cannondale Moterra
Manualling on the Moterra is a true demonstration of strength.

First thoughts on the Cannondale Moterra 1 2020

While you can’t write a book after one test ride, it’s the first impression that really counts–particularly when a bike is up against direct competition with parallel launches of other eMTBs. The Cannondale Moterra 1 has great DNA; it’s super comfortable to ride, delivers great traction on climbs, and composed handling on descents. In terms of agility and spec, this test ride has thrown light on some weak links but we’re keen to carry out a much longer-term test to truly get to the bottom of these.

Tops

  • Comfortable
  • Potent suspension
  • Corners brilliantly
  • eMTB mode on the Bosch Performance CX 2020

Flops

  • Seat tube angle should be steeper
  • Clattering noise on our test bike
  • Not the most agile bike

For more information check the Cannondale-Homepageor go to your next dealer – the bikes are available already!


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